Arsenal chasing bargain centre-back as Mikel Arteta looks to sign new two defenders

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen his back-line in the summer transfer window.

Arsenal have Basel centre-back Eray Comert on their radar as they seek to strengthen their defence despite only having a limited transfer budget, per new reports. The 22-year-old is a target for Galatasaray, who have already approached the Swiss giants through intermediaries.

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That's according to Turkish outlet Fanatik, who add that Arsenal could rival Galatasaray for Comert's signature.

The defender, whose contract at St Jakob Park expires in 2022, has made 35 appearances this season, and has been an almost ever-present in the Swiss Super League.

But Transfermarkt value Comert at as little as £2million but Arsenal are highly likely to have to pay higher than that to land the Swiss international, who is of Turkish descent.

Still, Comert - who was named in the Swiss league's Golden 11 for 2019 in January - firmly fits into the affordable category for the Gunners, who won't have much to work with financially this summer after the coronavirus pandemic and due to a lack of Champions League football in recent seasons.

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"A traditional club that supports its people, people who believe in it and give everything. I’d like to be part of that, a great footballer for many years for Arsenal.”

Arteta is also keen to strengthen his midfield, with Thomas Partey of Atletico Madrid top of his shortlist.

The Ghanaian will set the Gunners back around £43million, however, due to a release clause in his contract.

And so if the 38-year-old is to land Partey while also improving his defence, signing Mari and Comert for low fees while offloading Sokratis and Mustafi may be in Arteta's thinking.

The Arsenal manager has also been tipped to strengthen his options in the final third by exploiting free transfers, with Bournemouth's Ryan Fraser and Chelsea's Willian both out of contract at the end of the season.